PROGRESS REPORT ON FOUR-INCH ROCKET FOR NOVEMBER 1954

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-03624A000900010055-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 7, 2013
• Sequence Number: 55
• Publication Date: January 3, 1955
• Content Type: REPORT

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/07: CIA-RDP78-03624A000900010055-1
CONFIDENTIA
3 January 1955
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ON
FOUR-INCH ROCKET
FOR
NOVEMBER 1954
CONFIDE IT'AL
im Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/07: CIA-RDP78-03624A000900010055-1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/07: CIA-RDP78-03624A000900010055-1
The month of November was spent in testing various types
of non-metallic materials which might be employed in the
fabrication of the head plate for the multiple motor rocket.
Greatest emphasis was placed on laying up a combination of
glass cloth and polyester resin since it was felt that
glass reinforced resins would furnish more strength than
any other known plastic or combination plastic material.
A number of different lay-up techniques were used in an
effort to obtain greatest strength in all directions since
the chamber pressure forces are applied in all directions.
A material consisting of flat disks of glass cloth, lami-
nated together with polyester resin was machined as a one
piece head plate to receive the individual motors. Upon
static test firing, delamination of the layers occurred
with resultant failure of the test motor.
Another one piece head plate was laid up by rolling poly-
ester soaked glass cloth of two inches width into a con-
volute cylinder. After machining, this motor head was
tested using six motor tubes. Again delamination occurred
but in a direction parallel to the axis of the motor.
Other materials tested included celeron, a combination of
epoxy resin and aluminum powder, rag filled phenolic, hard
maple wood, and paper laminated phenolic. All these ma-
terials failed to withstand the pressures encountered and
ruptured. Although these materials had been previously
tested as a part of the original motor design, it was felt
that a redesigned one piece head plate, with the cap and
tail plate eliminated, would reduce strength requirements
thereby permitting the use of at least one of the materials
mentioned above.
The tests made on these materials indicate that no non-
metallic material alone possesses sufficient strength in
all directions to permit use as a head plate. Consequent-
ly the most logical approach to be taken from this point
forward appears to involve the employment of a network of
plastic tubes, such as have been used as motor tubes, con-
nected by a central chamber. This would permit the utiliza-
tion of the great hoop strength of these materials in with-
standing the pressure encountered. This network of inter-
connecting tubes could then be imbedded in a thermo setting
plastic to obtain rigidity. Holes designed to receive in-
dividual motor tubes could then be machined into the plas-
tic and into the reinforced tube network.
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/07: CIA-RDP78-03624A000900010055-1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/07 : CIA-RDP78-03624A000900010055-1
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This system would eliminate considerable machining and
would thereby be more satisfactory from a production
standpoint.
Construction of this type of head plate is now in progress.
A series of tests were conducted for the purpose of deter-
mining whether or not plastic nozzles with metal inserts
could be glued into the plastic motor tube with sufficient
adhesion to prevent breakage when exposed to the pressure
of a burning grain. These tests were very satisfactory
and indicated that this system of nozzle insertion can
be used.
Further tests, using retaining rings to suspend the indi-
vidual motor tubes into the head plate, were conducted.
These tests were equally satisfactory. Several grains
were burned in the plastic motor tube using the retain-
ing ring suspension system with no apparent damage to tube,
ring or head plate. In addition to this type of motor
tube suspension, another method has been tested satisfac-
torily. This method involves only the gluing of the mo-
tor tube into the head plate with an epoxy resin. Several
such grains were burned satisfactorily in tubes suspended
in this manner.
Plans for Future Work
Work on this program will continue as outlined above and
in previous progress reports. It is believed that as soon
as a suitable head plate can be designed and built, the
task of fabricating and flying a test rocket can be accom-
plished.
Financial Statement
Total Amount of Contract
Expenditures During November 1954
Total Expenditures to 30 November 1954
Total Unexpended Balance
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/07: CIA-RDP78-03624A000900010055-1
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